THE first trailer from Rush – the Hollywood film about the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda – has been released today.

The movie, which will hit UK screens from September, depicts the story of the 1976 Formula One season.

The flamboyant Hunt won the world title from Lauda by just one point following a controversial campaign where Lauda suffered an almost life-ending crash after his Ferrari erupted into a fireball at the Nurburgring.

Miraculously Lauda, who was influential in persuading Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes this season, returned to the cockpit after missing just two races, but narrowly missed out on retaining his title.

The film is directed by American Ron Howard and comes two years after the critically-acclaimed documentary about three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was released.

Hunt is played by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, best known for his work on The Avengers, while Spanish-born actor Daniel Bruhl plays the role of Lauda.

Oscar-winning director Howard said of the movie: ´Lauda and Hunt were rock stars of the race track: two absolute pros at the top of their game, in a time when sex was safe, driving was dangerous and all bets were off.

´They were also complicated, fascinating men and born rivals. Rush will be as much about that personal rivalry as it will be about the thrill of the race.´